A wide variety of research activities are carried out in the acoustics laboratory, such as:
– scrutiny of echograms obtained with scientific echo sounders during acoustic surveys through the use of various dedicated software such as LSSS and Echoview;
– experimental and innovative studies on acoustic response at different frequencies to improve discrimination of several fish species in both the Mediterranean Sea and Antarctica;
– application of theoretical models aimed at studying the anatomical and physiological characteristics that influence the specific acoustic response of each studied species (Target Strength);
– analysis of sounds in the marine environment of anthropogenic, biological and environmental origin;
– verification, maintenance and setting of hydrophones, transducers, scientific echosounders, sonar, trawl geometry sensors in anechoic tank (166 cm x 236 cm x 178 cm)
– calibration and testing of hydrophones of the Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) system;
– preparation of moorings for deployment of acoustic instrumentation.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
